Read The Mirror of Her Dreams for Free Online Page B

This man had a face the colour and texture of a pine board. His eyebrows were as thick and stiff as bracken, but there was no other hair on his head anywhere. His girth appeared to be nearly as great as his height. 'Shame, Master Eremis,' he muttered, reaching one heavy arm under Geraden's head and shoulders to support the young man as he hacked for breath. 'Find some other cause for amusement. What has happened here is either disaster or miracle. Certainly it is unprecedented. It needs seriousness.'
     
    Master Eremis' smile reached halfway to his ears. 'Master Barsonage, you have no sense of play. What can any man or Master do about Apt Geraden's pratfalls and confusions, except laugh?' He turned his attention back to Terisa. His offer of help hadn't wavered. 'My lady?'
     
    'We can weep, Master Eremis,' a guttural voice responded from the circle. 'You have admitted yourself that we are doomed if we do not find the champion augured for us. I care nothing for King Joyse and his petty realm'-at this, the thick man supporting Geraden made a hissing noise through his teeth- 'and I do not care who knows it. Let him sink into senility, and let Alend and Cadwal butcher each other for the right to replace him. But we have no other hope, the Congery of Images. This blighted Apt has just failed us.'
     
    Terisa wanted to turn to see who had spoken. But she was held by the smile and the eyes and the extended hand of Master Eremis. He was looking at her, at her, as if she were real-as if she were really present in this high chamber of cut stone, where the air held a tang of winter and the light came from oil lamps and a few torches; impossibly present here when she had no physical right to be anywhere at all except back in her apartment, staring at herself alone in her mirrors.
     
    The magnetism of his look compelled her. She couldn't refuse him; he gave her the tangible existence she had always doubted. Gazing back at him in surprise and wonder, she let him take her hand and draw her easily to her feet.
     
    'You're wrong,' Geraden coughed. His colour was improving. With Master Barsonage's help, he tried to sit up. 'All of you. She's the right one.'
     
    The reaction was loud and immediate: most of the men started talking at once.
     
    'What? A woman? Impossible.'
     
    'Are you blind? Look at her. She isn't even armed'
     
    This is not the champion you were sent to bring. Do you think we are as foolish as you?'
     
    'But this proves it! Think of the implications. King Joyse and Adept Havelock are right. They are alive.'
     
    'Leave the boy alone. I'm sure this was just another accident.'
     
    The guttural voice added, 'What nonsense. Do not be irresponsible. You have made a ruin out of our trust. Do not try to disguise your failure by pretending success.' Terisa saw the speaker now: he was a heavy-set man with a crooked back, hands that looked strong enough to break stones, a white beard spattered with flecks of black, and a fleshy scowl etched permanently onto his face. To the other Masters, he concluded, 'I argued and argued that we should not pin our hope on this hapless puppy, but I was outvoted. This'-he pointed a finger as massive as the peen of a hammer at Terisa-'is the result.'
     
    Master Eremis laughed again and made a placating gesture. But before he could reply, Geraden protested, 'No, Master Gilbur.' Coughing, he struggled out of Master Barsonage's hold and pushed himself to his feet. Tt isn't my fault this time. Think about it-'
     
    Unfortunately, the attempt to stand, talk, and cough simultaneously confused his balance. He stepped on one of his own feet and fell to the side, pitching heavily against two Imagers. They were barely able to catch him. Several men guffawed; this time Terisa could hear their bitterness. They had seen him do things like this before.
     
    When he regained his balance, he was flushed and glowering with embarrassment.
     
    'Apt Geraden,' Master Eremis said kindly, 'you have not had an easy time